From the Editor

Like a planet in space being assaulted by a storm of asteroids, O&P-both as a profession and as an industry-is being impacted on all sides by a barrage of factors which can change its entire future direction.

Reimbursement and quality of care may be adversely affected by competitive bidding. Three major O&P organizations-AOPA, the Academy, and NAAOP-have asked their members to strongly urge the exemption of O&P from Medicare competitive bidding, a subject we will cover in future issues.

The CMS Negotiated Rulemaking (NegReg) Committee will help decide provider qualifications at the federal level. In turn this may have far-reaching effects on O&P education and licensure. Articles in this issue discuss provider/consumer concerns connected with NegReg.

Consumers of prosthetic and orthotic care likewise are deeply affected by these issues. With that in mind, The O&P EDGE explores amputee advocacy.

And what about education? Edward Neumann, PhD, PE, CP, proposes more advanced science requirements and improved content in the first part of a two-part article. This upgrading would provide knowledge and skill sets difficult or impossible to attain outside a formal NCOPE program, as Dr. Neumann pointed out in "Perspectives," May issue.

Differing but valid opinions exist relative to many issues confronting O&P. As Mahatma Gandhi said, "Honest disagreement is often a good sign of progress."

Sound information needs to be a basis for sound thinking. The O&P EDGE is committed to giving you information from a variety of sources and viewpoints. Your thinking and decisions can influence your profession. The future is now.

Correction:

In the Sports Page column in the June 2002 issue, we stated that John Keating lost an arm and a leg in an accident in Switzerland. The accident occurred in Sweden.

Table Of Contents - July 2002

	Advocacy: A Win-Win Proposition What consumer advocacy has done for prosthetics and orthotics is similar to what occurred in the automobile industry in the mid-20th century. It has raised the bar for better technology and higher standards of care.
	From the Editor
	Amputee Advocacy: What’s Needed?
	CMS: Expedite 'Crosswalking' to Prevent Coding Hassles DC Direct
	NegReg: NOMA at Work DC Direct
	Century College O&P Students Form Unique Organization Education Outlook
	A Call to Expand and Improve the Advanced Science Content of O&P Curricula I propose that the advanced science requirement in O&P curricula should be expanded and the content improved. Education Outlook
	Physical Therapy: Schools Take a Hit O&P is not alone in its concern over declining school enrollment.
	AOPA Seminars Offer 20.5 CE Credits Industry Insight
	MCO Closed Provider Panels: Can They Be Opened? What if you, as an O&P provider, are confronted by managed care organizations' (MCOs') closed provider panels? Cutting Edge
	Fabricating a Flexible Brim Socket with a Rigid Distal End Shop Talk
	NegReg: Are Consumers Adequately Represented? Perspective
	Sneak Peek: Fillauer to Offer Innovative Orthotic Technology: SPL Orthotic Knee Joint Innovations
	Consumer Empowerment Grows in Developing Countries Salute!
	Provider Qualification Position Statement Exclusively Online
	Negotiated Rulemaking Committee Members Exclusively Online
	Competitive Bidding May Affect Up to One-Third of Orthotic Products From the National Association for the Advancement of Orthotics and Prosthetics (NAAOP)
	From the Editor Viewpoints